Bingo hall to close down
BINGO players in Neath have been reduced to tears by the shock news that their "home from home" hall is to close.
Many of them have been members of Empire Bingo in The Ropewalk for decades.
The closure, which will take place next month, was announced during an evening bingo session at the club this week.
One member, who asked not to be named, said everyone was distraught.
"I've been going to the Empire for 20 years and my mum has been going there for 33 years," she said.
"We don't know where we're going to go now.
"A lot of people, especially the older ones, don't want to go to the Castle Bingo. They much prefer the Empire.
"It's in the centre of town and within walking distance. It's like a home from home for many of them.
"When the announcement was made there were tears everywhere. We're all gutted, really devastated."
It is understood the hall will shut on September 20.
A staff member at St Albans-based Top Ten Bingo Holdings, which owns it, confirmed the fact that the hall was closing but was unable to provide further information.
However, during the announcement this week, members were told it was due to a combination of factors.
One is rising overheads, another is the impact of the smoking ban.
Neath councillor Mal Gunter, a former town and county mayor, said he was very surprised by the news.
"I know people who go there and they are going to be deeply disappointed," he said.
"It's not just about playing bingo for them.
"They have a meal there in the day and socialise with their friends, and they really are all friends there.
"A lot of them live alone and for them it's an escape from loneliness."
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by twj1943
Saturday, January 07 2012, 12:59PM
“Well it's closed as a bingo Hall and will never re-open so let's think ahead to the future there is plenty of room inside for development for all ages i.e.: Ballroom dancing, disco, Ten Pin Bowling to name a few, but most important let's get rid of that car NOW there must be a law somewhere that give's permission to have it removed.
This is a perfect site to bring Neath up to date there would even be room to house a Local Radio Station.
I remember working there in the very early day's as a projectionist does anybody remember Mrs. O'Connor the manageress I have so many memories of both the Empire and the Castle.
Let's not let the council sit back and allow it to be turned into flats or to fall apart it's in the Centre of our town lets do something about it now before it starts to fall down, and let's make it into something for the community PLEASE NO MORE FLATS.
Cllr.Tony Wyn-Jones
Bryncoch South”
by Marc, Swansea
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 9:43PM
“There;s a sign outside the bingo and snooker hall, saying it's open till end of October - So perhaps it will stay?”
by Craig, Swansea
Sunday, August 30 2009, 8:08AM
“Why don't they go to Castle bingo? I mean its just down the road and they have by far better facilities than the Emipre.”
by THEmaddentist, walking down memory lane
Saturday, August 29 2009, 11:02AM
“And then 30 years ago there was the Chemist, Fred James who opened at night to catch the punters on their way home. He seemed to be always there :>)
I have heard that that car is on private property and nothing to do with the Empire, I may be wrong tho'.”
by Cllr.Tony Wyn-Jones, Neath
Saturday, August 29 2009, 7:02AM
“What sad news going back to my younger day's I worked at both the Windsor and the Empire as a projectionist as releaf traveling from Cardiff.
I also remember the day's of working the Empire as a Disc Jockey and compere with artist's such as Tom Jones The Walker Bros. the Early day's of the Bystanders with Owen Money the list goes on.
However Bingo at the Empire as become a second home for hundreads of older people which might be there only entertainment this should not be allowed to close there must be someone out there who can save it anybody got any idea's if as a councilor I can help please contact me via the post Rico Berni where are you.”
by bruiser, neath
Friday, August 28 2009, 7:48PM
“I remember back in the 50s/60s going to the Empire to dance on Saturdays nights to the memorable Joe Berni, they were great nights, and if you took a girl home in all probability you had a long walk home especially to Port Talbot after missing the last bus and several of us had this long walk, thank goodness it was then Sunday and we could lie in. the other dance hall was Burton's (i did;not frequent this dance hall). both closed years ago sadly like the three cinemas. obviously the Empire could do with a great deal of money spent on it, and who has that amount of cash to invest? what other facility can go there? no shop would be successful in that location, so it looks like being another eyesore like the Windsor cinema or the Windsor pub. can anyone come up with new ideas?”
by Marc, Swansea
Friday, August 28 2009, 6:32PM
“I was in there about christmas time, and I have to agree it is very run down, with noisy drinkers around the bar, swearing etc. The toilets ponged a bit too!
My brother who plays snooker said Neath Empire had the best snooker team in wales for many years, and has produced some very good players over the years. for that it is a shame if they close.
I guess they'll knock it down and build more old peoples flats?”
by Jackswan, PORT TALBOT
Friday, August 28 2009, 2:11PM
“Unfortunately, its a run down, derelict eyesore..theres a car out the front that must be a classic, its been there for so long its welded to the floor!
certainly wont miss the place, hopefully the snooker hall is going too? shabby hall stuck in the 70s. if they got nowhere else to go, that says a lot for peoples lives...
if it is redevloped, no doubt NPT council will magically sell it to a housing developer. before long neath will be one big housing estate.”
by Marc, Swansea
Friday, August 28 2009, 1:46PM
“Isn't the last snooker club in neath below this bingo hall (Empire Snooker Club)?
At one time Neath had 3 snooker clubs (in the 1990s), with something like 50 tables in the town center alone - and now there will be about 6, all in private clubs ... It's a pitty as it will effect the quality of snooker in the region. Although, I though the club was more a drinkers snooker club?”
by Brian Morris, Neath Port Talbot
Friday, August 28 2009, 11:29AM
“Well here's another view other than the ones shown here.
The Bingo Halls provide a meeting point that for some is the only social place they visit. They feel safe there, they have a discounted meal there and are kept warm. As gambling goes, the cost is small. At least these people are not buying and drinking bottles of wine or spirits each evening and fighting with the spouse. When they win - no matter what amount they are happy - then they have the reality of the real world when they leave the Bingo hall and walk home - sad but this is how some people live their uncomplicated lives.
And for the record, I don't gamble (other than risk my life driving on the M4) and don't drink alcohol. - but can see how and why people particularly the elderly go to Bingo. - its basically for the companionship of others.”